Playoff Rotation

DaFan334 · Post #1 » by **DaFan334** » Mon May 17, 2021 5:52 am

A lot of questions I think exist as to who will play and how much come playoffs...

Who starts at point? I almost would prefer Facu to start with Monte leading the bench group and the hot hand finishing.

Who starts at 2 guard? I assume right now it will be Rivers, but Monte might start with Facu, but that does lead our bench a little thin. It would be great to see Will or Dozier back, we just really have no answers thus far on either. If we got one or both back, it would be absolutely huge, especially with how heavy the Blazers are on guards.

Who are the backup bigs? Green, Sap, and JaVale will probably depend on the matchup. I assume we saw JaVale and Jokic together to see how it would work against potential bigger lineups. I think we can assume that Jokic will take most center minutes while Gordon and Portor will take all of the minutes at the 3 and most at the 4, but there will be some spots for Green and Sap at the 4 that will need quality minutes. It's nice to see Paul playing well the last few weeks, and I hope he was saving himself for the postseason a bit.

psimanic1 · Post #2 » by **psimanic1** » Mon May 17, 2021 7:59 am

We need Javale more than Millsap/Green in this matchup, Kanter is too good at boards and scoring that you cant put either Millsap or Green on him. I would go with Facu, Rivers/Shaq, Gordon, MPJ, Jokic, we need defense on 1-3 against them, and maybe Howard, Morris as backups, if Howard gets hot that is and until Barton/PJ are back. We need any kind of scoring from bench, and Howard could be that spark for us how he is playing last few games

Post #3 » by **THE J0KER** » Mon May 17, 2021 9:12 am

Campazzo(28), Morris(20)
Rivers(25), Morris(10), Shaq(13)
Porter(30), Gordon(10), Green(8)
Gordon(25), Porter(10), Green(13)
Jokic(40), Millsap(8)

Of course, once PJ and/or Barton are back, the formula needs to be upgraded.

Post #4 » by **NuggetsWY** » Mon May 17, 2021 9:47 am

Malone doesn't typically play young players at key times - although with all of the injuries at guard ...
Malone typically plays fewer players during the playoffs. Last year 3 players a lot, 5 players about half of that.

I'd guess he plays something close to

Campazzo - Morris
Rivers - Morris
Gordon - Green
Porter - Green
Jokic - Millsap

Barton will get minutes, if he returns
McGee might get a few minutes
Dozier likely gets some minutes, if he returns

skywalker33 · Post #5 » by **skywalker33** » Mon May 17, 2021 4:14 pm

THE J0KER wrote:Campazzo(28), Morris(20)
Rivers(25), Morris(10), Shaq(13)
Porter(30), Gordon(10), Green(8)
Gordon(25), Porter(10), Green(13)
Jokic(40), Millsap(8)

Of course, once PJ and/or Barton are back, the formula needs to be upgraded.

No McGee whatsoever ?? thought the playoffs were why we traded for him ??

TunaFish · Post #6 » by **TunaFish** » Mon May 17, 2021 6:58 pm

skywalker33 wrote:
THE J0KER wrote:Campazzo(28), Morris(20)
Rivers(25), Morris(10), Shaq(13)
Porter(30), Gordon(10), Green(8)
Gordon(25), Porter(10), Green(13)
Jokic(40), Millsap(8)

Of course, once PJ and/or Barton are back, the formula needs to be upgraded.

No McGee whatsoever ?? thought the playoffs were why we traded for him ??

That doesn't make sense to me either but that observation matches what the Nuggets have been doing since Rivers forced himself into the starting lineup (due to injuries). With McGee, I think it is a matchup designed for the Lakers. Yet, Kanter and Nurkic have good size, so I think we may see more of McGee in this matchup.

TunaFish · Post #7 » by **TunaFish** » Mon May 17, 2021 7:01 pm

NuggetsWY wrote:Malone doesn't typically play young players at key times - although with all of the injuries at guard ...
Malone typically plays fewer players during the playoffs. Last year 3 players a lot, 5 players about half of that.

I'd guess he plays something close to

Campazzo - Morris
Rivers - Morris
Gordon - Green
Porter - Green
Jokic - Millsap

Barton will get minutes, if he returns
McGee might get a few minutes
Dozier likely gets some minutes, if he returns

Harrison is going to get some minutes as well. I cringe every time he throws up a 3 point shot and have visions of Torrey Craig.

psimanic1 · Post #8 » by **psimanic1** » Mon May 17, 2021 7:43 pm

I could also see some Facu/Morris, MPJ, Gordon, Jokic, McGee lineups with Gordon guarding CJ and MPJ guarding Powell

Post #9 » by **NuggetsWY** » Mon May 17, 2021 9:28 pm

psimanic1 wrote:I could also see some Facu/Morris, MPJ, Gordon, Jokic, McGee lineups with Gordon guarding CJ and MPJ guarding Powell

That sounds a little far out. Gordon trying to cover CJ would be like a fairly defensive lineman trying to catch a wide receiver in open field. Porter covering Powell wouldn't be any better. Lillard, McCollum, Powell can all shoot 3s and they can all drive and they can all hit mid-range (especially McCollum)

psimanic1 · Post #10 » by **psimanic1** » Mon May 17, 2021 9:40 pm

NuggetsWY wrote:
psimanic1 wrote:I could also see some Facu/Morris, MPJ, Gordon, Jokic, McGee lineups with Gordon guarding CJ and MPJ guarding Powell

That sounds a little far out. Gordon trying to cover CJ would be like a fairly defensive lineman trying to catch a wide receiver in open field. Porter covering Powell wouldn't be any better. Lillard, McCollum, Powell can all shoot 3s and they can all drive and they can all hit mid-range (especially McCollum)

But with size on them, and McGee waiting in the middle...It could work for some time maybe

Post #11 » by **NuggetsWY** » Tue May 18, 2021 1:05 am

psimanic1 wrote:
NuggetsWY wrote:
psimanic1 wrote:I could also see some Facu/Morris, MPJ, Gordon, Jokic, McGee lineups with Gordon guarding CJ and MPJ guarding Powell

That sounds a little far out. Gordon trying to cover CJ would be like a fairly defensive lineman trying to catch a wide receiver in open field. Porter covering Powell wouldn't be any better. Lillard, McCollum, Powell can all shoot 3s and they can all drive and they can all hit mid-range (especially McCollum)

But with size on them, and McGee waiting in the middle...It could work for some time maybe

Maybe it could work for a few minutes a couple of times per game -- but Malone has never been one to use "gimmick" defenses, so I just don't see it.

Post #12 » by **The Rebel** » Tue May 18, 2021 2:43 am

What I think it will be with Barton and Dozier both supposed to be back
Campazzo (22 mpg)/ Morris (26 mpg)
Barton (30 mpg)/Dozier (10)/ River (8)
Gordon (28)/ Dozier (10)/MPJ/ (10)
MPJ (28)/ Green (20)
Jokic (40)/ McGee (8)

I think that McGee is going to get plenty of minutes against the Blazers, we need the size for Kanter and Nurkic, they both will destroy Millsap or Green.

If Barton doesn't come back than I hope we see
Morris (26 mpg)/ Campazzo (22 MPG)
Dozier (18 mpg)/ Rivers (18)/ Harrison (10)
Gordon (28 mpg)/ MPJ (10 mpg)/ Dozier (10)
MPJ (25)/ Green/MIllsap (23) I think they will play every other night.
Jokic (38)/ McGee (10)

Malone used a 10 man rotation at times in the playoffs last year, so I think he will do it again this year. While it may seem crazy to run 5 guards, we are going to need to constantly throw different looks at the Trailblazers if we hope to even start slowing down Dame.

I think McGee gets a few minutes per game, and I hope if he does some of it is in a lineup of Campazzo/ Harrison/ Dozier (or Rivers if Dozier isn't back)/ and Green or Millsap. I think Malone should throw that lineup out there for 5 minutes at the beginning of the 2nd quarter and a couple of minutes to start the 4th quarter. Just have them play their trapping defense and hustle. We may not score much, but it will drain a lot of energy and frustrate the Blazers.

I also think that Dozier's length bothers Lillard, while Morris is big enough to slow down McCullom, than we go from them to Campazzo and Rivers who are going to irritate the hell out of those 2, with Harrison just coming in a few minutes to cause chaos like Dozier did in a few games last year.

GeorgeSears · Post #13 » by **GeorgeSears** » Tue May 18, 2021 5:38 am

psimanic1 wrote:We need Javale more than Millsap/Green in this matchup, Kanter is too good at boards and scoring that you cant put either Millsap or Green on him. I would go with Facu, Rivers/Shaq, Gordon, MPJ, Jokic, we need defense on 1-3 against them, and maybe Howard, Morris as backups, if Howard gets hot that is and until Barton/PJ are back. We need any kind of scoring from bench, and Howard could be that spark for us how he is playing last few games

The no.1 issue in this series in particular will be PnR defense. That's been an issue for Javale, and really it's a problem for pretty much all the centers in the league.The player who's subbing Jokic has to able to defend the PnR, Millsap and Green are better PnR defenders. The downside to them is size because they've had issues containing Kanter. I doubt Javale gets much playing time this series.

As for starting lineups, Facu at point has worked for them and he's enough of a pest to give Dame some problems. Jokic, MPJ and AG will obviously start as well. The 2 is going to be interesting because Rivers is a better 3pt shooter, but Shaq is bigger and will probably be a better defensive option on CJ. My guess is Facu, Rivers, MPJ, AG and Jokic. Backup: Monte, Shaq, Millsap and Green ( Stick with a 8-9 man rotation).

DaFan334 · Post #14 » by **DaFan334** » Tue May 18, 2021 7:06 pm

I am curious if we try to run a lineup with one of the point guards and then go big with MPJ, Gordon, Jokic, and McGee on the court at the same time. Portland would have a really tough time matching up with that on offense and they have enough length to give them some fits with passing on defense. The question would be could the defense keep up with their smaller guards in those lineups, but it might work at least in short spirts.

BNM · Post #15 » by **BNM** » Wed May 19, 2021 7:07 pm

DaFan334 wrote:I am curious if we try to run a lineup with one of the point guards and then go big with MPJ, Gordon, Jokic, and McGee on the court at the same time. Portland would have a really tough time matching up with that on offense and they have enough length to give them some fits with passing on defense. The question would be could the defense keep up with their smaller guards in those lineups, but it might work at least in short spirts.

I think POR would welcome that. None of those guys have the foot speed and lateral quickness to cover the POR guards in space. DEN would be regularly trading 2 points on one end for 3 points on the other.

TunaFish · Post #16 » by **TunaFish** » Wed May 19, 2021 8:21 pm

BNM wrote:
DaFan334 wrote:I am curious if we try to run a lineup with one of the point guards and then go big with MPJ, Gordon, Jokic, and McGee on the court at the same time. Portland would have a really tough time matching up with that on offense and they have enough length to give them some fits with passing on defense. The question would be could the defense keep up with their smaller guards in those lineups, but it might work at least in short spirts.

I think POR would welcome that. None of those guys have the foot speed and lateral quickness to cover the POR guards in space. DEN would be regularly trading 2 points on one end for 3 points on the other.

You may be surprised at how well Gordon defends the perimeter.

BNM · Post #17 » by **BNM** » Wed May 19, 2021 8:35 pm

TunaFish wrote:
BNM wrote:
DaFan334 wrote:I am curious if we try to run a lineup with one of the point guards and then go big with MPJ, Gordon, Jokic, and McGee on the court at the same time. Portland would have a really tough time matching up with that on offense and they have enough length to give them some fits with passing on defense. The question would be could the defense keep up with their smaller guards in those lineups, but it might work at least in short spirts.

I think POR would welcome that. None of those guys have the foot speed and lateral quickness to cover the POR guards in space. DEN would be regularly trading 2 points on one end for 3 points on the other.

You may be surprised at how well Gordon defends the perimeter.

He's good at switching and cutting off the dribble drive on pick and rolls, but he would be at a disadvantage if he's guarding Dame one-on-one 35 feet from the basket - which he would be in this mythical scenario of DEN's quad towers line up.

TunaFish · Post #18 » by **TunaFish** » Wed May 19, 2021 8:45 pm

BNM wrote:
TunaFish wrote:
BNM wrote:
I think POR would welcome that. None of those guys have the foot speed and lateral quickness to cover the POR guards in space. DEN would be regularly trading 2 points on one end for 3 points on the other.

You may be surprised at how well Gordon defends the perimeter.

He's good at switching and cutting off the dribble drive on pick and rolls, but he would be at a disadvantage if he's guarding Dame one-on-one 35 feet from the basket - which he would be in this mythical scenario of DEN's quad towers line up.

He is probably the best perimeter defender on the Nuggets and therefore will likely be tasked to where he is needed most. Dame, if he gets hot, will get Gordon's attention.

BNM · Post #19 » by **BNM** » Wed May 19, 2021 8:54 pm

TunaFish wrote:
BNM wrote:
TunaFish wrote:
You may be surprised at how well Gordon defends the perimeter.

He's good at switching and cutting off the dribble drive on pick and rolls, but he would be at a disadvantage if he's guarding Dame one-on-one 35 feet from the basket - which he would be in this mythical scenario of DEN's quad towers line up.

He is probably the best perimeter defender on the Nuggets and therefore will likely be tasked to where he is needed most. Dame, if he gets hot, will get Gordon's attention.

If Dame gets hot (or maybe to prevent him from doing so), I expect him to be doubled and blitzed by DEN's defense. I think Campazzo will bee the primary on-the-ball defender, with Gordon bringing the double. NOP did that with Jrue and AD three years ago, but Dame is better now and Campazzo and Gordon aren't Jrue and AD.

That's when C.J. and Norm need to step up. That's exactly what C.J. did the last time these two teams met in the playoffs. This time POR has a 3rd ball handler/scorer in Norman Powell. Last time their third ball handler was Evan Turner (yuck!) and they still won the series. Yes, DEN didn't have Gordon then, but they did have Murray.

TunaFish · Post #20 » by **TunaFish** » Wed May 19, 2021 9:23 pm

BNM wrote:
TunaFish wrote:
BNM wrote:
He's good at switching and cutting off the dribble drive on pick and rolls, but he would be at a disadvantage if he's guarding Dame one-on-one 35 feet from the basket - which he would be in this mythical scenario of DEN's quad towers line up.

He is probably the best perimeter defender on the Nuggets and therefore will likely be tasked to where he is needed most. Dame, if he gets hot, will get Gordon's attention.

If Dame gets hot (or maybe to prevent him from doing so), I expect him to be doubled and blitzed by DEN's defense. I think Campazzo will bee the primary on-the-ball defender, with Gordon bringing the double. NOP did that with Jrue and AD three years ago, but Dame is better now and Campazzo and Gordon aren't Jrue and AD.

That's when C.J. and Norm need to step up. That's exactly what C.J. did the last time these two teams met in the playoffs. This time POR has a 3rd ball handler/scorer in Norman Powell. Last time their third ball handler was Evan Turner (yuck!) and they still won the series. Yes, DEN didn't have Gordon then, but they did have Murray.

Gordon is a better defender than Murray who is isn't bad but he isn't Gordon. Gordon's role is the top defender on the club and he will be moved around and yes you should expect some double teams on Dame at times but that will involve Rivers as well. What is missing is the realization that Denver will be posting up a big lineup with MPJ at 6'10 playing small forward. Who will be guarding him and then who will be guarding Gordon? Gordon will be a key on defense and MPJ will be a key on offense.

The best player on the floor will be Jokic. Gordon will be the best Denver player after MPJ.